The economy of disease and toilets in Africa

I also wondered too why the only people who needed help were all dark skinned and most of them from Africa because that is the photos one saw from the charity organizations. It got so bad, that people started to feel sorry and give money to those countries and yet neglected their own backyard because they did not consider them dark enough for help. Also there is a lot of corruption in those countries and the attitude of the people. I often wondered if it is genetic or whether it is 'we do not need to do anything because someone else will do it for us.: I do think they need clean water, refrigeration, etc. but they should also try to help themselves instead of relying on the help from other nations. Because a time might come - look at the United States and their debt as well as in Europe - when they will have to rely on their own and their governments will have to provide clean water, clothes, etc. instead of having a fancy tv in every room of their palaces.

I have often wondered about this. I know there are always several organizations asking for money to donate to needy children in third world countries. In the past I have belonged to a few churches that would donate to these causes, often sending missionaries to these countries as well as donations. I would think that in an area where several people lived that it would be hard to keep the drinking water clean and of course without clean water things go down hill from there. Please share more of your experience with us. Was there clean drinking water?

It is always better to see for yourself. I learned long ago not to believe charities and aid agencies. Any natural emergengy and what do they send? Rice and milk powder! And who eats rice and milk powder? No one! How do you cook rice and milk powder? With no drinkable clean water, no electricity, gas, or wood. When there is a flood, what do they do with the rice and milk powder? Drop it in the sea, of course! When there is an emergency in the USA, do they send rice and milk powder?

I do agree that having good hygiene can help to stop disease from spreading and developing high technology can also help a lot to have secure food and water. However, it will take quite a lot of effort and money to do these starting from zero.

Yup, i totally agree. My country is deemed as Third World country, and i'm shocked when i went study oversea and people asked, am i studying there because there's no university back in my country. that is not the reason, there's lots of university. it is just me and my personal choice. people also have bad view of some poor country because of media and press.

Sourceseeker I've often wondered about this. I see people asking for money to help people out. ButI never give money because I'm not sure if it's a scam it's ashame how some people take advantage of these poor people for personal gain.why can't someone stop Them from telling lies to get money.It is sad and it need to stop

Well that is really something good to hear that they do in fact have plenty of food but it makes it sad that they have no way to store it. I guess if they have enough food though it wouldnt matter anyway they could just throw out leftovers and just eat fresh fruits and vegetables etc. If they dont have healthy clean water though that is a huge problem :(

africas a whole continent. of course its not all going to be poor.

hi sourceseeker since you saw first hand you have a reallygood idea of how better to help the Africans. I imagine there is not much in the way of refrigerators for the people.that could be something for World Vision and others to work on.Health care and clean restrooms and some education all seem like good ideas to help them much better.I feel you are q uite right.

i havent been there but i saw a documentary show about africa and i cant imagine living like that. i felt like i want to adopt everybody from there especially the children who can no longer walk due to starvation. kids wearing nothing and looks like they havent bathed for years. i hope their president or whoever that can help them build something like a toilet or a mini school or some volunteer to teach the kids.

Media blurs everything and not everything that charities or agencies that says they help the poor or needy is really true. To see is to believe as what they say.

Yes it si true Africa is not supposed to be where they are right now, which leaves these question on my mind, Where were they when the whole world was moving forward? Some of these countries don't suffer from such problems because of their amass of crude oil which have helped improved the economy of the country which then bring out some opposure and expectations which are slowly being worked towards, this are the case of Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia and South Africa but unlike EthopIa, which is located in the sub-saharan deserts, there is hardly water and food to go around and the country isn't blessed with any natural resources because of the amount of sandy surroundings. There plants hardly grown and with little to go around how do they get enough if not charitiy organisations. With the sun scorching, how does one get a balance meal that works with your body and allows for growth. This are the cases of some eastern and central african countries too but still their presidently have Mansions in the city, private jet and other luxuries, while the common citizen he governs over don't have enough to eat. Africa's problem is the greed and poor management because the powerful ones cares less about the ordinary mans welfare but of himself.

Hi Sourceseekers, I visited Moccorro,Casablance a few years ago and I didn't see any of those people they show on the TV,,,not a one..Now I did see children in the street with their hands out be they we clothed as well...Upon visiting some homes there, they were absolutely wonderful...I just did not like the toilets, hated them...thats why I was happy to return to the hotels. All in all the poverty was not obvious...we drove many areas including througg the mountains to the other side....we put 1600 miles on a rental in 7 days...defiantely a memorable trip...

There is still a hope to change Africa. the first thing the government should reform their country from dictator government to democratic government. The second thing try to control birth rate. Third thing trying to improve the education of african people.

This makes a lot of sense to me, actually, because storing food is probably more important than sending more food - there are farms and farmers there, and they have been farming for a long time, so they probably know best how to use their land. But storage - that requires resources that take a long time to develop.

I have visited Tunisia, Kenya, the Seychelles and South Africa. In my home country vacations are easily available to countries like the Gambia and Egypt. Some countries are off the beaten tourist track like Burundi and the Central African Republic. Yes, food is available African countries but in the poor places it is challenging to keep it fresh. In my home country most people have a fridge and a freezer. The people that live in the poor places in Africa live in simple housing without modern conveniences like we have in our homes. Many people can't afford to buy new clothes. Very poor people can get clothes charity parcels from overseas if they are lucky. I am pleased to hear that Ghana is providing better health care and cleaner restrooms. Tourists can bring money to some African countries.

I have always wondered about this. I suppose it is one of those things you have to see for yourself. People say there are a lot of scams too.You are right, clean water and providing all of these services would be greatly helpful.